Dimming mechanism



A. HERZ DIMMING IVECIANISM Filed July 24, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet l Apr. 17, 1923.

Figi

Illlm I ,2272/ WMM/r Apr. 17, 19231 1,452,l 15

. A. HERZ DIMMING MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1916 4 Sheets-Shedl 2 uIlIlIlIl-IU Apr. 17, 1923'. 1,452,115

l A. HERZ DIMMING MEcHANrsu Filed July 24, 1916 4 sheets-sheet l ifa/gij@ n Apr. 17, 1923. l 1,452,115

A. HERZ DIMMING MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Mawr Patented Apr. 17V, `1.923.v

UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED HERZ, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, B-Y DIRECT AND MIIISNEA/SRIIG'NJl MENTS, TO :ELECTRIC AUXILIARIES COMPANY, 0F DOVER,' DELAWARE, A CORPO- RATION. f

DIMMING Mncxamsx.

Appircaaon mea July 24, 191s. sriai Na. 110,953,

To all 'whom it may concern.: ,A -Be it known that I, ALFRED HERZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new' and useful Improvement. in DimmingMechanism, of which the following is a full,.clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. f

The 'present invention relates to dimming mechanism for electric lamps and the like. While I shall describe the invention with reference to the dimming of electric incandescent lamps it is .to be understood that the device is applicable'to other uses and pur` oo'ses. l l'iw present applicationis divisional in part oi my copending application, Serial 2o No. 15,278, filed March 18th, 1915, wliichhas since matured into Patent No. 1,195,137, granted on August 15th, 1916. y

'lhe primary object of my invention is to provide an improved structure of this class which is capable of rapid and inexpensive manufacture and reliable and satisfactory in operation. Another and further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of inductance coil. A further object is to provide an improved switching arrangement for switching the inductance coil into and out of circuit with the lamp, or other object. Other and further objects will be apparent from the following specification and claims'.

In the accompanying drawings in which I havev illustrated one embodiment of my invention-'- 'i Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsection 40 of the dimming mechanism showing its relationto the usual key socket and the usual incandescent lam Figure 2'is a iagram of the circuit connection'employed in the structure shown in Figures to 8 are isometricviews .of de-v .tails of the dimming switch prior to assembling;

Figure 9 is a view of a modified form of insulatingl joint in the switch -member; Figure 10 is an isometric view of the sheet metal connector forming a part of the plug discs forming the head of the inductance coil Figure 14 is a cross sectional viewgtaken across the body ofthe inductanee cour Flgllre l5 is ar diagram O fa modi-fic@ tion switch plate;

Figure 17 lshowing the inductance coil contained with- 1n the metal switch box;

's a sideV elevation ofl the same Figure 16 is .a vfront elevato`n7of the l Figure 18 is a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 1 with the shade removed and the handle folded up in position for shipping.

-Figure 19 is a plan view Io'fvone of the bearing plates for the movable switch ele-- ment.

and

shown in Figure 1,.the dimming mechanism is constructed as a unitary link between the incandescent lamp 3 and the usual key socket 1, which key socket vhas any suitable key switch such as 2 for switching on and 01T the current.

Figure 2O is a side elevation of' thefsame; I l

In the preferred. form of my device, as Y To accomplish .this linkage or connection A most easily the dimming device .is provided l with a suitable plug which screws into the key socket 1 and a suitable screw socket which makes connection with the terminal of the lamp 3. A central post 4 forms a straight connection through the dimming device from one terminal of the key socket 1 to the corresponding terminal of the lamp 3.v The screw'threaded metal thimble 5 on the plug is connected to a switch spring 6 by a suitable conductor 7. One terminal of the winding 8 of the inductance coil is ronnected to the switch spring 6 and the other terminal of the winding is connected'to the screw socket 9 and to the switch spring 11. The movable switch block or member l2 is adapted-to make and break connections between the springs 6 and 11 thereby'opening and closinga .short circuit about the winding 8 which is connected serially in circuit with the-lamp 3.

The inductance coil comprises a central core of magnetic material 13 which is formed of a sheet of silicon steel rolled up4 spirally into a generally cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 14. The central part of the core 13 is hollow to permit the pas sage of the bolt 4 therethrough. A layer of insulation 15 is interposed between the core 13 and the winding 8 which'lies `outside of it. The endg of the core 13 rest against magnetic end plates 16 and 17, these end plates being formed of a plurality of discs 18, as shown in Figure 13, having a central slot or aperture 19 for the bolt 4 effect of the core.

and having a radial slot or aperture 2O for l preventing eddy-currents `and for permitting passing of the circuit wires there- 'y through. An outer shell 21 of magnetic 'mater1al encircles the end plates or heads 16 and 17, this shell being 'formed of'a vsheet of silicon steel wound spirallyi about said head and about the winding 8. Discs of -insulation 22 lie between the heads 16 and 17 and the winding 8. These discs of insulation are interposed between the central core 13 and the heads 16, 17 in order to form air gaps for increasing the leakage discs 22 may be varied in order to obtain asuitable value of inductive action. The plug which is secured to the upper end or head of the inductanee coil is provided, with a orcelain core 23 (see Figures 1 and 11). metallic threaded thimble 5 lits closely over the-top of the plug 23 and is held thereupon by means of the bolt 4 which Y is provided with "a suitable nut 24 and an insulating washer 25. The thimble 5 is provided with `a depression 26 which is adapted to rest in the slot 27 of the core 23 and thereby prevent lrelative turning vbetween these two elements. The conductor 7 is soldered into the depression 26 as shown in Figure 10, and the solder 28 forms additional stiflening means for the depression 26 so as to form a solid key in the slot 27. The bolt 4 is stamped as shown in Figure 1 to provide ythe laterally projecting keys 4 29 which fit into the wings 30 of the central the block 32. Thesemetal discs 33 and 34 are The thickness of thesel similar in all respects, being vlstruck :from

the same die. The socket member 9, the metal plate 36, the 'plates 33 and 34 and the porcelain block 32 are all held together by means of the screws35. `These parts are seycured to the bottom head 17 of the induclpair of lugs 95 (see Fig. 12) which are set into the porcelain block 32 and fastened by suitable screws 42 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The Spring 6 is 'thus insulated from. the plates 33l and 34. A movable switch-block or switch member 12 forms in connection with the springs 6 and 40 a snap switch for short-circuiting the winding. 8 of the inductance coil. The movable switching block 12-is`mounted on a suitable wire pintle which has bearings in bo'th of the plates 33 and 34, and which is provided with a hook 41 below the plate 34 and through this hook is secured a suitable handle for A operating the switch bloc-k 12.

The switchv block 12, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a short section of round metal rod which has a notch milled into the side thereof as shownat 42 in Figure 3, this notch being cut alslight distance beyond the center so that the wire pintle 43'shown in -Figure 4 may lie in the notch 42 with the bearing portions 44 and 45 lying axially of the block 12, as shown in Figures 1 and 12. The hum or bent Aportion 46 lies within the note 42 as the notch'is of just suilicient width to receive the thickness of the. wire from which the pintle is composed. In assembling the block and the pintle, the pintle is laid in a notch and the block is thereafterl glven a sharp blow with a'hammer and if desired,the whole .ma melted solder. firmlyto the .block thereby preventing the wire from coming loose from the block, as has always been the case heretofore in devices of this character. It is obvious that the block 12 may be cut from square stock or from 'any other kind or type of stock, the'important point in this connection being thelirm grip between the block and the wire` this grip being S0 firm that the wire will twist 'off before it vloosens -in the block. A

then be dipped'fin suitable operatinghandle is connected to the hook 41 'with an insulating joint inter- The pmtle is thus secured are touched. This insulated joint is secured b the employment of a lavaor orcelain b ock 47 shown in Figure 6. The msulator .47 is provided with two holes 48 running lengthwise through the same to receive the two legs 49 of the loop or staple shown in Figure 5. A pair of grooves 51 are formed in the side of the insulator 47 to receive the two ends of thetwisted wires 52. In as` flattened to prevent these wires from bein withdrawn from the block of insulation 4 and the ring 53 shown in Figure 7 is then placed over the ends of the wire 52 and the ]oints may then be di ped in solder to solder the ring 53 to the wires 52- to hold the entire structure rmly together.

The wire 52 is bent into a loop or hairpin shape and is then twisted and a similar wire which is linked with the end of the wire 54 is twisted and provided at its lower end with a suitable handle 56 for operating the switch block 12. The eo-operating loops of the wires 54 and 55 from a universal joint which permits the handle or finger member 56 to lie at any suitable position with respect to the lamp bulb 3 and to transmit motion to the switch block 12. In addition, the ilexible or universal joint between the rods formed by the wires 54 and 55 permit the portion 55 to be folded back toward the main body of the device to aid in packing for shipment. This is clearly illustrated in the accompanying figures.

The induction coil and the switch mechanism are enclosed by a suitable casing or shell member 57 which is provided with a shoulder 58 and a flange 59 at its upper end.

The Bange 59 is secured by means of screws 60 to the flange 61 of a disc 62 which is clamped between the core 23 ofthe plug and the top of the inductance coil. As shown in Fi ure 11 the bottom of the lug 43 is rovi ed with a notch 63 in the ower sur- .aee thereof and a (projecting portion 64 lies 1n the notch v63 an prevents turning of the disc and shell with respect to the core. In-. asmuch as the core issecured by means of thcwmgs 29 punched in the rod 4, which win lie in the eccentric parts 30 of the bore of t e core block 23 and since the thimble 5 1s also keyed to the core block 23,A it is apparent. that relative rotation between these parts 1s prevented.. The 'lower end of the olt 4 is also provided with suitable wings stamped'up from the sides thereof and these win he in the narrow part of the bore 65 in the lock 32 as shown in Figure 12 and4 since the socket 9 and the plates 33 and 34 are secured to the block 32, relative motion of vthese parts is also prevented. This is of importance as it prevents screwing in or outlof Ithe the lamp into the socket 9 or ofthe plug into the socket 1 from loosening or disconnecting arts.

` T e lower end ofthe casing 57 is formed into a bell shaped extension 66 and between the rim of the bell shaped member 66 and thesocket 9 there is placed a circular channel member 67 which has its outeredge flush with the lower end of the bell member 66. Sup orting screws 68 are threaded through the bell member and the channel 66, 67 to support a suitable shade 69. The top of the shade 69 is of considerabl greater diameter than the socket 9 and of ess diameter than the outer edge of the bell member 66 and of the channel member 67 so that there is provided a free passage for air'and ventilation over the to of the shade 69 and under the bottom of the bell member 66. The channel member 67 is apertured asshown at '(0 to facilitate the assembly of the switch stem 54, 55. A suitable cylinder of insulation Tl lies between the socket 9 and the inner edges of the channel member thereby preventing accidental contact between these parts and also closin Aoff the openin 70 in the channel member 6 A sheet o ihsulation 72 is placed'npon the inside ofthe bell shaped member 66 adjacent the switch members 6,

11 and 12 to guard against accidental con- 1 tact.

As I have found that in. operation the induct-ance coil is likely to pro uce a humming sound and since this may be accentuated by the shell 57, Ihave placed a washer 73 of sound deadening material between thel shell 57 and the outside of the inducta-nce coil. At the same time it serves as a suitable sup rt for spacing. the shell 57 from the in uctance coil.

In` Figures 15, 16 and 17 I have illus-V trated the inductarwe coil of my invention as applied to a cluster of lights suspended from a ceilin or the like.

The lamps 75, 76 and 77 are all connected in parallel to each other and in series with the two switches` 78 and 79. The two switches 78 and 79 are similar in construction being of the familiar push-o rated sna -action type provided with t e two push buttons 80 and 81 for operating the switch 78 and the buttons 82, 83 for operating the switch 79. Any suitable form of snap action may be employed as this forms no essential part of the invention. The switch 78 is shunted about the winding 84 of the inductance coil which is included serially with the lamps 75, 76 and 77. When the switch 79 and the switch 78 are closed, all of the lamps are illumined with the maximum brilhancy. When the switch 79 is closed and the switch 78 is opened, the current is compelled to pass through the winding 84 of the inductance coil 85 and all of the lamps 75, 76 and 77 are dimmed coupling or universal Joint.

to a minimum brilliancy. If thereafter one of the'lamps 75, 7 6' or 77 be turned oi completely as by means of the key switches 86, the remaining lamps will become slightly brighter.

For convenience in installation the two switches 78 and 79 are connected under the same cover plate 87 and provided with a metal outlet or switch box 8,8 within which is supported the inductance coil 85 as by means of the bracket 89. I have shown the inductance coil 85 as supported in the-bot tom ofthe box 88 although in the normal construction this coil may be placed at one side of the switch 78 and 79 under the same cover plate and thus be more accessible for inspection and re airs. The structure of the 'inductance coil 85 is substantially the same as that shown in connection with Figure 1.

In Figure 9 I have illustrated a different manner of securing an insulatingv joint between the stem 54 and the pintle 43. The ends 52 of the wire in this case are brought up parallel and bent over the-lower limb of a link 90, the upper end of which is hooked or loo d into the hook 41 of the pintle 43. A ayer or layers of paper or similar insulating material is placed between the end 52 of the wire 54 andl thel lower linrb of the link 90. This insulating material 91 laps over the top of the' Wires 52 preventing contact with the upper limb 92 of the link 90. It Will be noted that fthe link 90 is formed in the shape of the conventional Figure 9, the loop being connected to the hookv 41 and the tail of the figure forming a'support for the bent over ends .of the wire 54. In each case it is to be noted that the connection between the hook 41 and the insulated joint forms What I Vclaim is:

1. In combination an inductance coil, a-

plug mounted on one end of said coil, said plug comprising a core of insulating material having a grooved bore therethrough, a

' switch mounted on the other end of said inductance coil, said switch having'a block of insulating Amaterial having a grooved bore therethrough and .a bolt having flat portions engaging said grooved bore and Vpreventing said core from turning.

ble secured upon the outside of said core,-

said thimble having a depressed portion lying in a groove in said core and va wire forming a terminal of said coil soldered in said depressed portion.

3. In combination a core of insulation,

- said core having a bolt therethrough, said bolt being keyed to said core, a connecting a flexible thimble secured upon the outside of said core, said thimble having a depressed portion lying in a groove in said core and a wire soldered in said depressed portion, an-

shell adjacent one end thereof, said disc having a langed periphery, a casing having a cylindrical portion and a flange at one end of said cylindrical portion. said flange bein adapted to be united with the iange o said disc, saidfmagnetic shell lying within said cylindrical ening member lying between the` cylindrical portion and said magnetic shell. i

5. In combination an inductance coil having a flat ended magnetic spool or core, an yenclosing shell surrounding said magnetic core, said enclosing shell having a flaring bell shaped portion, switch Vmechanism for changing the circuit connection of said coil, saidswitch mechanism being clamped to the flat end of said magnetic spool or core and being enclosed by said bell shaped portion of .the enclosing casing said bell shaped portion being adapted to embrace a suitable shade member.

6. lIn combination a cylindrical inductance coil, an enclosing shell for said coil, said shell having a cylindrical portion adapted to enclose the inductance coil andhavlng a bell shaped depending portion, a switch. for changing the circuit connection of said coil mounted on one end thereof,

va. socket. for forming connection with a lamp, said socket being partially enclosed rtion and a sound dead-V by said bell shaped extension and a circular channel closing the s ace between said bell shaped extension an said socket, said channel being adapted to receive the upper end of a shade.

7. In combination an enclosing casin having a cylindrical portion and a depen ing bell shaped' portion, a socket adapted to receive a lamp mounted at the open end of said bell shaped portion, current varying means in the -cylindrical portion, a switch in said bell shaped portion for controlling the current varying means, said switch having an operating handle extending below said. socket, said handle being. adapted to be rotated to operate said switch,

and a universal joint in said 4operating handle to perinit the handle to be folded back along the side of said enclosing shell or casmg.

8. In combination an enclosin shell or casing having a cylindrical portlon and a bell shaped. depending portion, an inducconnection of said inductance coil with respect to said socket, a channelmember closing the open annular space between said depending bell shaped portion and said Socket, said channel having an openin or sliot therethrough, an operating hand e projecting through said channel member, said operating handle having'lexible portions, said handle being adapted to be rotated to operate said switch.

Y9. In combination an enclosin shell or casing having a cylindrical vportion and a bell shaped depending portion, .an inductance `coil in said cylindrical portion, a switch in said depending portion, a socketadapted'. to receive an electric lamp at the open end of said depending portion, said switch being. adapted to change thel circuit connection of said inductance coil with res ct to said socket, a channel member closing the open annular space between said depending bell shaped portion and said socket, said channel having an opening or slot therethrough, an.

operating handle projecting thr'ou h said channel member, said operating han le having fiexible portions, said handle being adapted to be rotated to operate said switch,

and an insulating joint between said switch and said operating handle.

10. In combination an inductance coil, a circular `prismatic block of mounted on saidl inductance coil, a air of switch springs mounted on the circu ar side of the block of insulation, a switch block pivoted between said springs, said switch block comprising a wire pintle member and a notched block member, said pintle having a curved portion lying in said notchjand having straight portions extending axially from said block.

11. In combination an inductance coil, a plug secured to one endof said coil, said plug being adapted to make connection with the usual kev socket, a socket secured to the other endA of said inductance coil, said socket being adapted to be secured to the usual incandescent lamp, switch mechanism lying between said socket and 'said' inductance coil, a casing for said coil said switch and said socket, an operatin shaft extending fromlsaid casing and adapted to 'hang vat the side of said lamp, said operating shaft having a handle on its outer end and having a flexible `joint, said exible joint permitting a portion of said shaft to be fold i ed along the side of said casing.

12. In combination Jan inductance coil, a generall prismatic block of insulation, mounte on said coil, a switch ring artially encircling block, sc .id lock v-` insulation ing a groove in one side thereof, a switch spring projecting into said groove, a metallic plate upon each side of said block, and

a movable switch member pivoted between said switchsprings in said ates and adapt ed to make connections between said springs.

13. In combination a lamp, a switch, and an inductance coil, said inductance coil comprising a magnetic circuit and an electric circuit, said electric circuit being adapted to be switched into connection with the lamp,` said magnetic circuit comprising a central cylindrical core laminated spirally, disks of magnetic material at-the'ends of said core, said disks being laminated at right angles to the axi'sof said core, one of said disks and said core being out of magnetic contact.

14. In combination, a lamp, a switch, and an inductance coil comprising a -magnetic circuit and an electric circuit, said circuits interlinking with each other, said electric circuit being adapted to be put into connection with the lamp by said switch. said magnetic circuit comprising a cent-.ral substantially-cylindrical core laminated spirally, circular disks of magnetic material laminated at right angles to the axis of said core, said disks and said core being magnetically separated.

15. In combination, a lamp, a switch, and an inductance coil comprisinga pair of disks laminated in parallel planes, a substantiall cylindrical core laminated spirally at rig t an les to said parallel planes, disks of insulgiition interposed between aid first disks and said core and a winding on the core adapted to be put into circuit with the lamp by means of the switch.

16. In combination, a lamp, a switch, and an inductance coil comprising a air of circular disks laminated in paralle planes, a central generally-cylindrical core laminated spirally at right angles to said parallel planes, said core and one of said disks being separated by a disk of insulation, and a winding `for said core, said windingbeing confined between said disks, saic l winding being adapted to be put into circuit with the lamp by means of said switch. u

17. In combination, a lamp, a switch, and an inductance coil comprising an incomplete magnetic circuit and an electrical circuit, said circuits interlinking with eachl other, said electric circuit being adapted to be put in to connection with the .lamp by means of said switch said 'ma etic circuit comprising a central -magnetic material adjacent the ends of said core, and a'shell of magnetic mgteral 'conneral y-cylindrical A core laminated spirally isks at ri ht angles l lll necting said disks, said shell being laminated spirally, said inductance coil being adapted v to be put into circuit with thel lamp by means Vwinding surrounding said central core and being enclosed by said end disks and said outer shell, said winding being adapted to be put into circuit with the lamp by means of said switch.

20. In combination, a lamp socket, a switch, and an inductance coil, comprising a central'cylindricalvcore and an outer cylindrical shell, said core andsaid shell being laminated spirally, said inductancecoil being adapted to be put into circuit with the lamp socket by means of said switch.

21. In combination, a lamp socket, a switch, and an inductance coil, said coil comprising a central cylindrical core, said core being laminated spirally, end plates of magnetic material, said plates being laminated at right angles to the axis of said core,

-a radial slots cut in said plates, said slots preventing circulating currents, said inductance coil bein adapted to be put into cir'- cuit with the amp socket by means of said switch.

22. In combination a light dimming mechanism having a plug and a socket and a switch for operating the same, a casin surrounding said mechanism and switch, a 1i ht secured to said socket and a switch han le for said switch, said handle projecting below said electric light.

23. In combination a light dimming mechanism having a plug and a socket, an

electric lam connected to said socket, said mechanism aving a switch for operating the same, a casing surrounding said mechanism and switch and a handle for said switch, said handle projecting through said casing and having a `flexible portion.

mechanism having'a plug an 1n said socket, said dimming ratlng sai 24. In combination an inductance coil, a

block of insulation mounted on the coil, a

25. In combination an inductance coil, a

block of insulation mounted on said coil, a Y

socket mounted onsaid block, a switch for t said coil, circuit connections to said socket including said' switchV and coil, a rotatable element for operating said switch, a controlling handle connected tonsaid rotatable element, said handle projecting down below said socket.

26. In combination an inductance-coil, a block of insulation mounted on the coil, a socket mounted on said block, al switch for said coil mounted on said block, connectioiis to said socket including said switch and said coil, said switch having a rotatable element for operating the same, a handle for operating said element, said handle having a flexible portion extending beyond said socket and in the same direction. Y

27. In combination a li ht dimming a socket, an electric lam mechanism aving a switch for o the same, a casing surrounding sai mechanism and switch, said switch having a handle lying outside of said casing and a stem connecting said handle and switch, said stem having a flexible' portion.

28. In combination, an inductance ,coil having a substantially fiat ended magnetic spool or core, an enclosing shell for said core, a switch clamped against the lower end of said. core, a socket secured below said switch, said shell having a cylindrical portion for the core, and a flared skirt rtion enclosing the switch and socket an being adapted to embrace a suitableshade member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto slibscribe my name this 20th day ofl Jul A. D. 1916.

" .ALFR D HERZ. 

